Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-07-22
THE MASTERS LAST TRIP.

Half a century ago Il bright May morn
Ing seemed quite as beautiful as it does to-
lay. The sun shonc, bees buzzcd and flew
hither and thithcr, white and pink apple
blossoms unfoldcd their dainty cups to-
ward the blue sky, tile green gra was
studded with golden daudciious, while
over all and everywhere q soft sweet
1rowsincss seemed TO Turk and hide. IL
was May in Woody Hollow, and down In
a knot Of soft naples and green oak trees,
Just on the edge of the purling creek,
nestled the tiny school house of this thrifty
farming community. Doors and windows
were all wide open, and the morning sun
shine crept softly in upon the long wooden
benches ranged about the room. wake
up therel Wake up there largards; the
morning passes swiftly, whcczcd tho old
schoolmaster, rapping loudly on his desk,
and casting rcproachful eyes toward the
little Dutch-faccd clock, whose hands were
pointing TO the hour of 10. 4 score of
girls and boys, droning over dog cared
books. made various ondeayors 80 break
from the lothargic spell. Brown fists
were brought into hurried contact with
browner eyes, soft white hands were
plunged desperately into dimplcd checks,
and heads of every color bent closer
to the mornings task. But soon the
busy hum grew faint. pencils slipped
from some unconscious fingers. and every
now and then pretty, round mouth dis
figured itself into an undisguiscd yawn.
It was certainly sleepy morning, for by
and by even Herr Won NlWmcr yielded
to the infection, and nodded gently 90 the
chair. Softly the gray-la,Ald eye lids
dropped, and rested upon li, wriuklcd
checks, and, anon, arose sound. most
suggestive OF snOrc. Her Won Nlummcr
was asleep. Little Reuben Grctzcl opened
wide his round blue eyes, and stood up in
the tips of his ereat-bowel slippers, in
order TO perceive this startling fact more
clearly Never before had this vicilaut
master been known 10 fail in his DUTY.
The hands of the clock now squarely in.
Dictated 1920. the usual hour for recess.
and Reuben, softly gliding 10 the teachers
knee touched lightly the old blue brass
buttoncd coat before him
well, sir, thuudercd Herr Won Nlum-
mer, what brings You hcrey Who gave
you permission 10 come
NO one, thir, s,ammcrcd the child,
amazed at the sudden awakening of the
master; Its rcthcss time, and You Wath
asleep. Won Nlummcr passed his hand
across his eyes and rose hurrcdiy % his
feet. TO shut the eyes. 10 think softly TO
ones self Is good. said hc stcruly. "but
TO sleep IN the carly morning. An, who
could do it but a sluggard"
i heard You athnoriug thir. protested
Reuben, gazing down so the silver buckles
ut his knees. An audible litter ran through
The little room and lOatcd ont Of the win.
dows on the soft air. Every pupil was
iully awake TO the fact that Reuben had
placed himself in most trying position.
NO recess today, cricu>Van Tlum-
mer, purple with suppressed rage at the |
iouble ailront; every scholar to'his book. |
md trip up the Hudson before Tic day /
IS done "
Young Grctzel, with tcar-jlcndcd cyos |
md heart filled with rebellion against "A /
'rucl injustice, walked slowly back 10 the |
md of the long bench and Sitting down I
sazcd rcproachiuly az the mas cr who f.
VAS striding augrily back and forth across /,
no narrow platform The sunshine 4
eemed all TO have crcpt away. and tbs
title Dutch clock was ticking very loudly. .
Get ready. Get ready for "a trip up the .
hudson, IL seemed o. say. rs plainly as
my tongue could tell il. Then the quaint
ound lace began 90 lCcr upon him. with
iendish smile. and the long black hand,
o take upon themselves the scmblcncc 81
myers OF scom. Il heard him snoring,
90, whispered Dorothy ~pccdWcil, peep.
nS Shyly at Reuben from
'ehind her red curls. and then